The Jeremiah Project, Week 34

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Week 34

Day 1
(Originally posted Sunday, August 17, 2014)

Overview Jeremiah 34:1-22 - "Holding Pattern". As we grab onto our chapter this week, let's grasp Nebuchadnezzar holding Zedekiah, cities holding out, and God's people holding onto their slaves (indentured servants); let's also get a handle on Yahweh holding His people accountable and ultimately Yahweh holding up His side of His covenant.

We pray this week that we may get a grip.

Day 2

Link to video clip
(Originally posted Monday, August 18, 2014)

*******CAUTION: MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. *******

Jeremiah 34:1-5 - "King Of Pain". Today's reading, while tough, may actually be tougher than it initially appears to be. Zedekiah may have been relieved initially to hear from Jeremiah that he would not die by the sword. And yet it is possible to die a few deaths before death. Knowing that Nebuchadnezzar did see Zedekiah face to face and speak mouth to mouth as was prophesied, knowing that the last thing Zedekiah saw before his eyes were taken was one of the most horrible things any parent could see, and knowing he died in the captivity of his Yahweh-endorsed conqueror left him with very much to ponder in the time he had left. He may have had songs of lament play through his mind with lyrics not unlike the bridge of this attached song:
"There's a king on his throne with his eyes torn out
There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt
There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed
There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread"

Day 3
(Originally posted Tuesday, August 19, 2014)

Jeremiah 34:6-7 - "Meta-theater" or "The Theater Within The Theater". Reading our two verses today, we can note the mentioning of three cities under siege by Babylon's forces, even while Jeremiah is locked in a spiritual battle chiefly with Zedekiah the king.
As we go through our lives, let us also be aware of the battles ongoing as we engage in spiritual struggles for the sake of the souls of precious people, for the sake of Yahweh's great glory.

\\\--) O.O (--///

BE OPENED. And put on the whole armor of God.

Day 4

Link to video clip
(Originally posted Wednesday, August 20, 2014)

Jeremiah 34:8-11 - "Money Troubles". Today's reading can easily be misread because of our recent history (that is, the last 300 years) here in the U.S.A.
We must understand the difference between human trafficking and indentured servitude. In the book of Genesis, the Patriarch Joseph was a victim of human trafficking, as was the first generation African-American in America in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
Indentured servitude, however, is LIMITED service that we might subject ourselves to in order to pay off debts for which we are otherwise unable to pay. Key word: LIMITED. There is a point at which the servant should be freed. Yahweh's law allows for this financial arrangement and especially for this freedom. God's people under the king Zedekiah thought they could pledge to honor Yahweh's law and free their slaves, and then turn around and take them back into slavery again. His people were slipping from indentured servitude into human trafficking. Unacceptable.
For application and perspective: Today in the U.S.A., because of our national debt (right now about $17,687,000,000,000.00), a citizen owes about $55,500 ON THE DAY THEY ARE BORN.

How will WE pay?

Day 5

Link to video clip
(Originally posted Thursday, August 21, 2014)

Jeremiah 34:12-16 - "Somewhere I Read Of The Freedom...". Our portion today is a reiteration of what we read yesterday, an underscore on the salient point of these passages: God's people were waffling by not following His law, then pledging to follow it, then regressing to not following His law. His plan ultimately is the freedom of His people, whosoever choose to be His people.

He WILL set us free.

Day 6

Link to video clip
(Originally posted Friday, August 22, 2014)

Jeremiah 34:17-22 - "Yahweh Let's Loose". Today as we read the balance of our chapter, let's understand we are not okay when our God Yahweh leaves us alone; rather, we are only okay when He is intervening on our behalf.
Today's case-in-point: His people have refused over and over to obey the terms of the covenant He set before them, so He releases them, making them free to face the consequences of disobedience.

He's not mean. He's not cruel. He's faithful to His word. Let's recognize.

Day 7

Link to video clip
(Originally posted Saturday, August 23, 2014)

Review Jeremiah 34:1-22 and REST in the knowledge that
Yahweh gives to the bound relief and the hard-hearted to their fears release;
And to those who keep God-honoring traditions He gives good legacies.

<==== Back to Menu <== Back to Week 33 Proceed to week 35 ==>

Week 34
Day 1		(Originally posted Sunday, August 17, 2014) Overview Jeremiah 34:1-22 - "Holding Pattern". As we grab onto our chapter this week, let's grasp Nebuchadnezzar holding Zedekiah, cities holding out, and God's people holding onto their slaves (indentured servants); let's also get a handle on Yahweh holding His people accountable and ultimately Yahweh holding up His side of His covenant. We pray this week that we may get a grip.
Day 2	Link to video clip	(Originally posted Monday, August 18, 2014) *****CAUTION: MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. ***** Jeremiah 34:1-5 - "King Of Pain". Today's reading, while tough, may actually be tougher than it initially appears to be. Zedekiah may have been relieved initially to hear from Jeremiah that he would not die by the sword. And yet it is possible to die a few deaths before death. Knowing that Nebuchadnezzar did see Zedekiah face to face and speak mouth to mouth as was prophesied, knowing that the last thing Zedekiah saw before his eyes were taken was one of the most horrible things any parent could see, and knowing he died in the captivity of his Yahweh-endorsed conqueror left him with very much to ponder in the time he had left. He may have had songs of lament play through his mind with lyrics not unlike the bridge of this attached song: "There's a king on his throne with his eyes torn out There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread"
Day 3		(Originally posted Tuesday, August 19, 2014) Jeremiah 34:6-7 - "Meta-theater" or "The Theater Within The Theater". Reading our two verses today, we can note the mentioning of three cities under siege by Babylon's forces, even while Jeremiah is locked in a spiritual battle chiefly with Zedekiah the king. As we go through our lives, let us also be aware of the battles ongoing as we engage in spiritual struggles for the sake of the souls of precious people, for the sake of Yahweh's great glory. \\\--) O.O (--/// BE OPENED. And put on the whole armor of God.
Day 4	Link to video clip	(Originally posted Wednesday, August 20, 2014) Jeremiah 34:8-11 - "Money Troubles". Today's reading can easily be misread because of our recent history (that is, the last 300 years) here in the U.S.A. We must understand the difference between human trafficking and indentured servitude. In the book of Genesis, the Patriarch Joseph was a victim of human trafficking, as was the first generation African-American in America in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Indentured servitude, however, is LIMITED service that we might subject ourselves to in order to pay off debts for which we are otherwise unable to pay. Key word: LIMITED. There is a point at which the servant should be freed. Yahweh's law allows for this financial arrangement and especially for this freedom. God's people under the king Zedekiah thought they could pledge to honor Yahweh's law and free their slaves, and then turn around and take them back into slavery again. His people were slipping from indentured servitude into human trafficking. Unacceptable. For application and perspective: Today in the U.S.A., because of our national debt (right now about $17,687,000,000,000.00), a citizen owes about $55,500 ON THE DAY THEY ARE BORN. How will WE pay?
Day 5	Link to video clip	(Originally posted Thursday, August 21, 2014) Jeremiah 34:12-16 - "Somewhere I Read Of The Freedom...". Our portion today is a reiteration of what we read yesterday, an underscore on the salient point of these passages: God's people were waffling by not following His law, then pledging to follow it, then regressing to not following His law. His plan ultimately is the freedom of His people, whosoever choose to be His people. He WILL set us free.
Day 6	Link to video clip	(Originally posted Friday, August 22, 2014) Jeremiah 34:17-22 - "Yahweh Let's Loose". Today as we read the balance of our chapter, let's understand we are not okay when our God Yahweh leaves us alone; rather, we are only okay when He is intervening on our behalf. Today's case-in-point: His people have refused over and over to obey the terms of the covenant He set before them, so He releases them, making them free to face the consequences of disobedience. He's not mean. He's not cruel. He's faithful to His word. Let's recognize.
Day 7	Link to video clip	(Originally posted Saturday, August 23, 2014) Review Jeremiah 34:1-22 and REST in the knowledge that Yahweh gives to the bound relief and the hard-hearted to their fears release; And to those who keep God-honoring traditions He gives good legacies.